Method and apparatus for providing a hazardous material alert
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for providing a hazardous material alert for use with a vehicle that is transporting hazardous material, the method comprising:
- detecting a hazard event at a detection system located in a detachable trailer separate from a tractor;
transmitting the hazardous material alert via a first transmitter in response to the hazard event, wherein the hazardous material alert includes information relating to the hazardous material, wherein transmitting the hazardous material alert comprises locally broadcasting a transmission from a transmitter comprised in the detection system such that the broadcast transmission can be directly received by emergency personnel responding to the hazard event; and
sending a message from the detection system to a remote control center via a wireless communications system located on the vehicle outside the detection system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
System for providing a hazardous materials hazardous material alert. The system includes a method for transmitting a hazardous material alert for use with a vehicle that is transporting hazardous material. The method comprises steps of detecting a hazard event, and transmitting the hazardous material alert in response to the hazard event, wherein the hazardous material alert includes information relating to the hazardous material.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. A method for providing a hazardous material alert for use with a vehicle that is transporting hazardous material, the method comprising:
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detecting a hazard event at a detection system located in a detachable trailer separate from a tractor; transmitting the hazardous material alert via a first transmitter in response to the hazard event, wherein the hazardous material alert includes information relating to the hazardous material, wherein transmitting the hazardous material alert comprises locally broadcasting a transmission from a transmitter comprised in the detection system such that the broadcast transmission can be directly received by emergency personnel responding to the hazard event; and sending a message from the detection system to a remote control center via a wireless communications system located on the vehicle outside the detection system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for providing a hazardous material alert for use with a vehicle that is transporting hazardous material, the method comprising:
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detecting a hazard event at a detection system; transmitting the hazardous material alert in response to the hazard event, wherein the hazardous material alert includes information relating to the hazardous material, wherein transmitting the hazardous material alert comprises locally broadcasting a transmission from a transmitter comprised in the detection system such that the broadcast transmission can be directly received by emergency personnel responding to the hazard event; sending a message from the detection system to a remote control center via a wireless communications system located on the vehicle outside the detection system; receiving instructions from the remote control center via the wireless communications system; and activating at least one vehicle system based on the received instructions from the remote control center.
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8. A method for providing a hazardous material alert for use with a vehicle that is transporting hazardous material, the method comprising:
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detecting a hazard event at a detection system located in a detachable trailer separate from a tractor; and transmitting the hazardous material alert in response to the hazard event, wherein the hazardous material alert includes information relating to the hazardous material, wherein transmitting the hazardous material alert comprises locally broadcasting a transmission from a transmitter comprised in the detection system such that the broadcast transmission can be directly received by emergency personnel responding to the hazard event, wherein detecting the hazard event further comprises receiving an emergency code at a user interface, and wherein transmitting the hazardous material alert is further in response to receiving the emergency code.
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9. A method for providing a hazardous material alert for use with a vehicle that is transporting hazardous material, the method comprising:
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detecting a hazard event at a detection system; transmitting the hazardous material alert in response to the hazard event, wherein the hazardous material alert includes information relating to the hazardous material, wherein transmitting the hazardous material alert comprises locally broadcasting a transmission from a transmitter comprised in the detection system such that the broadcast transmission can be directly received by emergency personnel responding to the hazard event; receiving a message from a remote location, the message including initialization information; and downloading and storing the initialization information at the detection system, wherein the initialization information includes information relating to the hazardous material, wherein the hazardous material alert is based at least in part on said initialization information in combination with real time information.
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10. A method for providing a hazardous material alert for use with a vehicle that is transporting hazardous material, the method comprising:
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detecting a hazard event at a detection system; transmitting the hazardous material alert in response to the hazard event, wherein the hazardous material alert includes information relating to the hazardous material, wherein transmitting the hazardous material alert comprises locally broadcasting a transmission from a transmitter comprised in the detection system such that the broadcast transmission can be directly received by emergency personnel responding to the hazard event; and controlling a power level of a transmitter broadcasting the hazardous material alert based on at least one of a type of the hazard event and a location of the hazard event. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method for providing a hazardous material alert for use with a vehicle that is transporting hazardous material, the method comprising:
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detecting a hazard event at a detection system; transmitting the hazardous material alert in response to the hazard event, wherein the hazardous material alert includes information relating to the hazardous material, wherein transmitting the hazardous material alert comprises locally broadcasting a transmission from a transmitter comprised in the detection system such that the broadcast transmission can be directly received by emergency personnel responding to the hazard event; and determining, based on timing logic stored in the detection system, at least one of when to transmit the hazardous material alert, how fast to transmit the hazardous material alert, how long to transmit the hazardous material alert, when to activate a vehicle system, and when to deactivate the vehicle system. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A method for providing a hazardous material alert for use with a vehicle that is transporting hazardous material, the method comprising:
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storing a measured cargo state; tracking a history of stored cargo states; determining a change in the cargo state compared to the tracked history of stored cargo states; detecting a hazard event at a detection system, wherein detecting the hazard event further comprises determining occurrence of the hazard event based upon the change in the cargo state; and transmitting the hazardous material alert in response to the hazard event, wherein the hazardous material alert includes information relating to the hazardous material, wherein transmitting the hazardous material alert comprises locally broadcasting a transmission from a transmitter comprised in the detection system such that the broadcast transmission can be directly received by emergency personnel responding to the hazard event.
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15. A method for providing a hazardous material alert for use with a vehicle that is transporting hazardous material, the method comprising:
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detecting a hazard event at a detection system located in a detachable trailer separate from a tractor; transmitting the hazardous material alert in response to the hazard event, wherein the hazardous material alert includes information relating to the hazardous material, wherein transmitting the hazardous material alert comprises locally broadcasting a transmission from a transmitter comprised in the detection system such that the broadcast transmission can be directly received by emergency personnel responding to the hazard event; and activating one or more vehicle systems other than the detection system in response to the hazard event. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A detection system for providing a hazardous material alert for use with a vehicle that is transporting hazardous material, the apparatus comprising:
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detection logic for detecting a hazard event system located in a detachable trailer separate from a tractor; and a local transmitter for locally broadcasting the hazardous material alert in response to the hazard event, wherein the hazardous material alert includes information relating to the hazardous material, and wherein the broadcast transmission comprises a transmission from the detection system that can be directly received by emergency personnel responding to the hazard event; and a communication link to a wireless communication system located on the tractor, wherein detection system is configured to send a message from the detection system to a remote control center via the wireless communications system. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A detection system for providing a hazardous material alert for use with a vehicle that is transporting hazardous material, the apparatus comprising:
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detection logic for detecting a hazard event; a local transmitter for locally broadcasting the hazardous material alert in response to the hazard event, wherein the hazardous material alert includes information relating to the hazardous material, and wherein the broadcast transmission comprises a transmission from the detection system that can be directly received by emergency personnel responding to the hazard event; a communication link to a wireless communications system located outside the detection system; and message processing logic for sending a message to a remote control center via the wireless communications system, wherein the message processing logic is further configured to activate one or more vehicle systems in response to a message received from the remote control center.
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26. A detection system for providing a hazardous material alert for use with a vehicle that is transporting hazardous material, the apparatus comprising:
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detection logic for detecting a hazard event system located in a detachable trailer separate from a tractor; and a local transmitter for locally broadcasting the hazardous material alert in response to the hazard event, wherein the hazardous material alert includes information relating to the hazardous material, and wherein the broadcast transmission comprises a transmission from the detection system that can be directly received by emergency personnel responding to the hazard event, wherein the detection logic detects the hazard event at least in part by receiving an emergency code from an operator at a user interface, and wherein the hazardous material alert is transmitted further in response to receiving the emergency code.
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27. A detection system for providing a hazardous material alert for use with a vehicle that is transporting hazardous material, the apparatus comprising:
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detection logic for detecting a hazard event; a local transmitter for locally broadcasting the hazardous material alert in response to the hazard event, wherein the hazardous material alert includes information relating to the hazardous material, and wherein the broadcast transmission comprises a transmission from the detection system that can be directly received by emergency personnel responding to the hazard event; a communication link to a wireless communications system located outside the detection system; and memory for storing initialization information relating to the hazardous material, wherein the initialization information is received as a message from a remote location via the communication link, and wherein the hazardous material alert is based at least in part on the initialization information.
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28. A detection system for providing a hazardous material alert for use with a vehicle that is transporting hazardous material, the apparatus comprising:
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detection logic for detecting a hazard event system located in a detachable trailer separate from a tractor; a local transmitter for locally broadcasting the hazardous material alert in response to the hazard event, wherein the hazardous material alert includes information relating to the hazardous material, and wherein the broadcast transmission comprises a transmission from the detection system that can be directly received by emergency personnel responding to the hazard event and processing logic configured to activate one or more vehicle systems other than the detection system in response to the hazard event.
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29. A detection system for providing a hazardous material alert for use with a vehicle that is transporting hazardous material, the apparatus comprising:
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detection logic for detecting a hazard event; and a local transmitter for locally broadcasting the hazardous material alert in response to the hazard event, wherein the hazardous material alert includes information relating to the hazardous material, and wherein the broadcast transmission comprises a transmission from the detection system that can be directly received by emergency personnel responding to the hazard event, wherein the transmitter is configured to control a transmit power level based on at least one of a type of the hazard event and a location of the hazard event.
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30. A detection system for providing a hazardous material alert for use with a vehicle that is transporting hazardous material, the apparatus comprising:
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detection logic for detecting a hazard event; a local transmitter for locally broadcasting the hazardous material alert in response to the hazard event, wherein the hazardous material alert includes information relating to the hazardous material, and wherein the broadcast transmission comprises a transmission from the detection system that can be directly received by emergency personnel responding to the hazard event; and timing logic for determining at least one of when to transmit the hazardous material alert, how fast to transmit the hazardous material alert, how long to transmit the hazardous material alert, when to activate a vehicle system, and when to deactivate the vehicle system.
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31. A detection system for providing a hazardous material alert for use with a vehicle that is transporting hazardous material, the apparatus comprising:
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detection logic for detecting a hazard event; a local transmitter for locally broadcasting the hazardous material alert in response to the hazard event, wherein the hazardous material alert includes information relating to the hazardous material, and wherein the broadcast transmission comprises a transmission from the detection system that can be directly received by emergency personnel responding to the hazard event; and memory for storing a measured cargo state; and wherein the detection logic further comprises logic for tracking a history of stored cargo states, determining a change in the cargo state based upon the tracked history of stored cargo states, and determining occurrence of the hazard event based upon the change in the cargo state.
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32. An apparatus for providing a hazardous material alert for use with a vehicle that is transporting hazardous material, the method comprising:
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means for detecting a hazard event at a detection system located in a detachable trailer separate from a tractor; means for transmitting the hazardous material alert via a first transmitter in response to the hazard event, wherein the hazardous material alert includes information relating to the hazardous material, wherein transmitting the hazardous material alert comprises locally broadcasting a transmission from a transmitter comprised in the detection system such that the broadcast transmission can be directly received by emergency personnel responding to the hazard event; and means for sending a message from the detection system to a remote control center via a wireless communications system located on the vehicle outside the detection system.
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33. A computer-readable medium comprising instruction for execution by a hazard detection system that is used with a vehicle transporting hazardous material, the instructions, when executed by the hazardous detection system, cause a hazardous material alert to be transmitted, the computer-readable media comprising:
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instructions for detecting a hazard event at a detection system located in a detachable trailer separate from a tractor; instructions for transmitting the hazardous material alert via a first transmitter in response to the hazard event, wherein the hazardous material alert includes information relating to the hazardous material, wherein transmitting the hazardous material alert comprises locally broadcasting a transmission from a transmitter comprised in the detection system such that the broadcast transmission can be directly received by emergency personnel responding to the hazard event; and instructions for sending a message from the detection system to a remote control center via a wireless communications system located on the vehicle outside the detection system.
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34. A method for monitoring the status of hazardous material being transported via a remote vehicle, the method comprising:
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receiving a hazardous material alert at a control center in response to a detection of a hazard event at the vehicle via a wireless communications system, the hazardous material alert being sent from a detection system located in a trailer via a communication link to a wireless communication component located on a tractor connected to the trailer; and transmitting instructions from the control center to the remote vehicle via the wireless communications system. - View Dependent Claims (35)
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36. A method for monitoring the status of hazardous material being transported via a remote vehicle, the method comprising:
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receiving a hazardous material alert at a control center in response to a detection of a hazard event at the vehicle via a wireless communications system; and transmitting instructions from the control center via the wireless communications system, wherein the instructions comprise instructions to activate at least one vehicle system other than the detection system. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38)
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39. A method for monitoring the status of hazardous material being transported via a remote vehicle, the method comprising:
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receiving a hazardous material alert at a control center in response to a detection of a hazard event at the vehicle via a wireless communications system; and transmitting instructions from the control center via the wireless communications system; and transmitting a message from a remote location, the message including initialization information, wherein the initialization information includes information relating to the hazardous material, wherein the hazardous material alert is based at least in part on said initialization information in combination with real time information.
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40. An apparatus for monitoring the status of hazardous material being transported via a remote vehicle, the method comprising:
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means for receiving a hazardous material alert at a control center in response to a detection of a hazard event at the vehicle via a wireless communications system, the hazardous material alert being sent from a detection system located in a trailer via a communication link to a wireless communication component located on a tractor connected to the trailer; and means for transmitting instructions from the control center to the remote vehicle via the wireless communications system. - View Dependent Claims (41)
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42. An apparatus for monitoring the status of hazardous material being transported via a remote vehicle, the method comprising:
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means for receiving a hazardous material alert at a control center in response to a detection of a hazard event at the vehicle via a wireless communications system; and means for transmitting instructions from the control center via the wireless communications system, wherein the hazardous material alert includes information relating to the hazardous material, and wherein the instructions comprise instructions to activate at least one vehicle system other than the detection system. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44)
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45. An apparatus for monitoring the status of hazardous material being transported via a remote vehicle, the method comprising:
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means for receiving a hazardous material alert at a control center in response to a detection of a hazard event at the vehicle via a wireless communications system; and means for transmitting instructions from the control center via the wireless communications system, wherein the means for transmitting transmit a message from a remote location, the message including initialization information, wherein the initialization information includes information relating to the hazardous material, wherein the hazardous material alert is based at least in part on said initialization information in combination with real time information.
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46. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instruction for monitoring the status of hazardous material being transported via a remote vehicle, the computer-readable media comprising:
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instructions for receiving a hazardous material alert at a control center in response to a detection of a hazard event at the vehicle via a wireless communications system, the hazardous material alert being sent from a detection system located in a trailer via a communication link to a wireless communication component located on a tractor connected to the trailer; and instructions for transmitting instructions from the control center to the remote vehicle via the wireless communications system.
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Specification